A Nonstop New York Connection

It’s practically a crime to keep secrets like this one: Laila Rowe, trusted fashion accessory stop-off for savvy East Coast shoppers since 2003, is a bona fide presence on the internet. Thanks to the brand’s recent focus on the online market, patrons of the New York shop that started the chain will now be rubbing shoulders with style-aware customers from all over cyberspace, browsing with enhanced ease everything from the one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces that put Laila Rowe on the map to the devilishly alluring rainboots and footwear that continue to set the company apart. Hats and scarves, gloves and mittens, loungewear, and even umbrellas: Laila Rowe is a kind of paradise for those who live to accessorize, offering unique designs and quality materials at prices far under what one might expect.

And then, of course, there are those trendy, durable handbags that seem so appropriate for the lifestyle of the modern woman. With gorgeous favorites like the eye-catching Genuine Leather Ruched Handbag, the versatile Leather Bag with Pockets or the tastefully bold Large Genuine Leather Handbag waiting to be stuffed full of the odds’n’ends of your days, there’s no shortage of practical accessories to fit your needs. Whatever it takes to round out that outfit you’ve been dying to wear, you’ll probably find it here. And while you enjoy the worry-free shopping experience, here’s something else to enjoy: Laila Rowe is giving a lovely Crocodile Print Faux Leather Clutch to the lucky winner of today’s giveaway (pictured above.) To enter, visit LailaRowe.com, then come back here and tell us about your favorite Day Bag style. Tell us in an additional post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, or follow us on Twitter, and "tweet" about the giveaway. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. Contest ends 4/08/09.

Be sure to also enter our giveaways here.

We’ll Vouch for These Pouches

Freshening up one’s accessories for the spring doesn’t have to mean mortgaging that already-twice-mortgaged house for a ridiculously expensive, oversized Italian purse. It could, rather, be as simple as accenting with a small but classy, fashionably cute, and sensibly priced handcrafted handbag freshly acquired online. Now, what if we told you such a thing could be found in Missouri? Take that, Milan. Thanks to Kansas City-based Nicole of Ni-Chern Designs, being spring-ready has never been easier.

With a full line of pouches sized from extra small to medium and featuring zesty, off-the-easel motifs such as geometric orange, brown motifs, and circles and dots, Ni-Chern has made it possible to blister the boardwalks and plaza sidewalks of your hometown this season with an aura of originality, free thinking, and yes, fashion sense—all at a fraction of the price at which noticeability is usually bought. And as long as you’re browsing, it’s well worth the time it takes to check out Ni-Chern Design's wristlets, coin pouches, key fobs, and other carrying accessories, not to mention the earrings that round out the site. Sagging economies are a fact of life, but sagging self-confidence doesn’t have to be. Give yourself something special this spring from Ni-Chern’s adorable collection. It might be just the stimulus you need to get life going again.

Visit NiChernDesigns.etsy.com

Another Command Performance

In case you’ve lived in a cave these past twenty years, here’s a news flash: Australia is dominating the cinematic world. With complex yet outback-wild front men bearing earthy names like Jackman and Crowe, and lavishly gifted lady thespians the likes of Blanchett and Kidman, their characters transcend, brooding with the power and mystery of a South Sea tempest. It’s no longer a question of whether an Aussie will take home an Oscar, but rather how many. Thus it should be no surprise when a company like UGG Australia rises to the very top of the footwear market: This, after all, is a land where great performances are born. It might be hard for some of us to imagine the privilege of visiting the pastoral homeland where a pair of UGG boots begins, but one doesn’t have to pet the sheep to enjoy the unmatched pampering a pair of sheepskin boots affords. Nor, for that matter, is it difficult to envision a pair of Classic Tall, Lo Pro Button, or Classic Clardy boots, just to name a few, gracing one’s oft-neglected feet. (Incidentally, my Classic Tall boots are by far the most comfortable pair of footwear I've ever owned in my life. I'm sure some of you can attest to the same sentiment.)

Of course, in addition to women’s boots, UGG is quite famous for its sheepskin slippers, arguably the only product that could possibly be more comfy than the already-luxurious shearling boots for which it is known. The mystique of the Tasman, the practicality of the Cozy II—there doesn’t seem to be a single slipper in UGG’s gallery that doesn’t make sense in some way. Looking for something lighter? Look no further than UGG’s summer-ready sandals, such as the leisurely Fluffie, the feminine Brook, or the cosmo-conscious Hazel. Outerwear? Men’s wear? Accessories? UGG delivers the goods, and does so with all the panache and presence that we’ve come to admire in Australian artisans. There are brands that make women’s boots, and then there is UGG. Now, if we could only figure out a way to bring the continents a little closer together…

Visit UggAustralia.com to view the entire collection.

Silver Sublime

It’s time we remembered the magic of silver. As a material, it is among the most versatile, alluring, dependable and sensible substances found on the earth. Since most of us don’t have it in great supply, however, we tend to forget how wonderful it is. Enter Trudie Davies, silvercrafting proprietor of an Etsy store by the same name, and Melbourne-based merchant of that fabulous stuff that slays vampires and dragons, charms the human heart, shimmers on the backs of rare fish and exotic birds, and lines our momentary trials with the faintest outline of hope. If anyone knows the power of silver, it’s Trudie.

With rings like The Bridge, which evokes both modern architecture and timeless values such as fidelity and spiritual strength, she reminds us how visceral and honest her medium can be. With delicate hoop earrings featuring, for example, birds on a perch, she draws out the artistry and conversation-inspiring dynamic of this wondrous matter. And with irresistible, original pendants such as her selection featuring a solitary willow, she reinforces the principle that handcrafted jewelry need not be complicated to be classy. Swans, trees, alphabet letters, stars and more—the variety of emblems we find at her store that are borne from the same time-honored ingredient is remarkable. The fact that so few people are willing to be this creative with precious metal is perhaps even more remarkable.

Visit TrudieDavies.etsy.com to view the collection in its entirety.

Glimmering Handiwork

Upon encountering the striking individuality of the jewelry craft of The Baker's Wife, our featured shop of the day, a handful of Wordsworth’s verses composed above Tintern Abbey seemed appropriate: Once again do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs/that on a wild secluded scene impress/thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect/the landscape with the quiet of the sky. The lines of well-crafted jewelry, like the winding river that inspired Wordsworth's epiphany, have a way of reflecting and interpreting the beauty around them in captivating ways. It might be in the dulcet radiance of the Honey Ring, the woodland shimmer of the Broadleaf Earrings, the jumbled synchronicity of the Bittersweet Necklace or perhaps the coiled power of the Palmetto Bracelet. It might be in any of the pieces crafted by this shop, really, because the one quality that seems to most commonly fit the pieces in this shop is uncommonality.

Inspired by natural themes, cultural touchpoints, and other instantly recognizable motifs, The Baker's Wife’s creations range from conventional with a twist to downright bold, but never leave the margins of practicality. Her handmade cards, adorably refreshing, fit this description as well—and really, who couldn’t use a nice pick-me-up card these days? But enough with the rambling praise, and on to a great giveaway. Wishing Willow readers will be excited to know that The Baker's Wife is offering a pair of Sakura Earrings to the winner of today's drawing. To enter, visit BakersWife.etsy.com, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Tell us in an additional post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, or follow us on Twitter, and "tweet" about the giveaway. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. Contest ends 3/17/09.

Earth to Self-Control...Do you read me?

I'm already the proud owner of a Billy Sue Textiles scarf, though calling one of Debbie Barrett-Jones' creations merely a scarf is the understatement of the year. These scarves are the softest, most lovely textile art you will every lay your eyes or hands on. This beauty here is new, and I'm having a difficult time overcoming the temptation to buy it. I hope one of you, my loyal readers, will save me from myself and buy this one for yourself. It's 20% off for goodness sake! Help...

Visit Billy Sue Textiles to view Debbie's collection, and click here to read more about the artist.

Sterling Qualities

There’s a longheld stereotype that says jewelry reflects the character of its wearer. Bold, outspoken women hailing from in-your-face cultures tend to wear earrings the size of small hula hoops; artsy women are apt to decorate their wrists and hands with all sorts of rings and bangles as a way of subconsciously honoring the part of them they value most; modest women gravitate toward lockets and clasps; you get the picture. If the stereotype is true, we’d like to think that the organic, craft-loving consumers who tend to shop for jewelry on Etsy cherish the values embodied by artisans like Emily of Emily Warner Designs: substance, strength of character, subtle beauty and originality.

From the beautiful simplicity of the Hammered Circle Ring to the quiet confidence of the Beach Stone Bangle, from the deep, swirling earth tones of the Bezel Wrapped Chrysacola Necklace to the riveting plotlines of the Circle Drop Earrings, each of Emily’s fine designs seems to bring to life a powerful aspect of womanhood or of the neverending, ever-cycling creative story itself. Like the shimmer of Emily’s own Faceted Quartz Charm Necklace, the appeal of this shop is in the pride of craft that it represents. And as long as charm’s the word, those of us charmed by generous giveaways (which is all of us, of course) will find this one a real gem: The winner of today’s giveaway will receive a $40 gift certificate from Emily Warner Designs. To enter, visit Ewarnerdesigns.etsy.com, then come back here to tell us about your favorite item in Emily's Collection. Tell us in an additional post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, or follow us on Twitter, and "tweet" about the giveaway. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. Contest ends 2/27/09. We have a winner. Congrats Suanne!

A Little Birdie Told Me

A while back we had the opportunity to feature Lulu Bug Jewelry (see it here.) I've had my eye on the Little Bird Necklace ever since. What a perfect little embellishment for the coming Spring. Isn't it sweet?

Visit Lulu Bug Jewelry to view the entire collection.

Hand-some Tastes

“And now,” to borrow a Monty Python phrase, “for something completely different.” If you’ve ever wondered why soapmakers don’t use a little more creativity in their molding process—after all, there’s no law that says a bar of soap can’t be shaped like, say, a cowboy hat or a kidney—you’ll want to take a moment to visit Plastic Foliage, home of the aptly named Handsoap. Crafted into the actual shape of hands that range from the adorably pudgy, stubby infant variety to the larger, more developed toddler form , these soaps are as impossible to employ in the bath without an accompanying smile as they are sufficiently kitschy-creative-cool to make you the cultural envy of any houseguest who should pause to lather up at your sink. Plastic Foliage is also a lovely place to locate other “handy” items like the Happy Face Tote bag or perhaps a pair of Wrist Zips, which allow active people to remain hands-free by zipping away their coins and chapsticks in little pouches worn on the forearms. If your shopping is guided by everyday, conformist standards, this may not be the place for you. If, however, you’ve got a little personality in you and don’t mind showing it, browsing the goods at www.plasticfoliage.com just might be the most fun you’ll have this winter.

Warmed by the Artisan’s Fire

There’s a simple way to find the light in a dark economy. One need look no further than the lamplit window of an independent artisan working late into the night, eschewing bailouts and bankruptcy filings in favor of a buck hard-earned doing what she feels made to do. Perhaps that twinkle of creative perseverance is the shimmer of a Jessie McCann bracelet, its many facets reflecting a recession-proof luxury nouveau approach premised on the twin ideas that hand-crafted jewelry can be wonderfully elegant, and that elegant doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. A beautiful case in point can be made from McCann’s Hespera Necklace, a gathering of rose, olive green, and amethyst briolettes fashioned from quartz and hung from a sterling silver chain. It could be priced out of reach of most of us. It isn’t.

Alternatively, it could be a bracelet as understated and feminine as the Cate, or as dark and striking as the Alessa. The champagne tastes of the Aurelia Earrings, or the lagoon-deep subtleties of the Nora would make a fine argument in favor of independent craftsmanship as well. In the end, what so many of us withering in this financial climate are looking for is proof that value can still be found in simple, lovely objects priced honestly rather than artificially. What we are looking for, in other words, is a few more Jessie McCanns. For those who are fans of her work, today’s giveaway is especially exciting. To celebrate her shop's one year anniversary, Jessie is giving away a lovely pair of Kandice Earrings to call their own. To qualify, visit Jessie McCann Handcrafted Jewelry, then come back here to tell us about your favorite item in Jessie’s shop. Tell us in a second post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 2/5/09. Make sure to check out Jessie Mccann's 20% off Sale.

We have a winner! Congrats Dixie :)

Touch and Bow

It’s a rough estimate that there are about five million moms in the United States who dream nightly of custom-designing hair accessories for their children. (Don’t ask where that statistic was found. We have our sources.) Of that five million, about five hundred actually get around to doing it. And of that five hundred, a mere handful succeed in producing something fashionable enough not only to pin in little Princess’s hair, but to sell to the rest of us raising little Princesses of our own. Little Lesiw is one of these elite. With all the genuine charm and wholesome qualities one would expect of a family raising its own little bundle of inspiration (an adorable girl adopted domestically), Little Lesiw goes to work winning our hearts immediately with a wide variety of clips in the “Bloom” style, including such fun and fearless styles as Zebra, Candy Mix, Kiss Me, Hot Pink with White Dots and Ni hao Kai-lan in addition to classic solid tones. Of course, the magic doesn’t end there.

For those who prefer pigtail sets, options range from the simply sweet Pink With Swiss Dots to the deep and versatile Pinwheel Set in red. Have an eye for modern interpretations? The Oh Snap collection, like its cousin the Clippie Chaos gallery, offers its fair share of offbeat and on-point themes for anyone aspiring break out of the Girl in Sunday Best stereotype. What makes this particular shop so appealing is the high-quality craftsmanship of its product line; what makes it special, however, is that intangible “it” factor that can only come from the artistic bosom of someone who knows how to celebrate the singular beauty of a child. And as celebrations go, one more will be in order for the winner of today’s giveaway. Little Lesiw has graciously offered to send not one but three items of choice to one lucky Wishing Willow reader. To qualify, visit Little Lesiw, then come back here to tell us about your favorite style and color. Tell us in a second post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 1/30/09.

We have a winner! Kathleen who said, "Oh my goodness, the quality!! Very impressive. As mama to three girls, it's hard to pick just one style and color I love. The bitty bloom in pink and brown, very sweet! Love that hey would work for my 9yo and my 6mo old." Congrats!

A Long-Legged Legacy Lives On

No one in the eighties or nineties inspired a love-hate relationship quite like Barbie. On one hand, she was to be hated for her figure, her hair, her clothes, and her generally 'far more beautiful than me' airs. On the other hand, how much can one really hate a doll that mutely acquiesces to a dozen wardrobe changes a day, never once so much as frowning upon her eight-year-old owner’s undeveloped tastes? We left her behind, but for certain talented and creative photographers the likes of Michelle Brusegaard, a little part of her lived on in the dresses we kept, wishing they were just a few hundred sizes bigger so we could wear them ourselves. Brusegaard’s enviably original photo gallery of vintage and handmade Barbie dresses in various poses and patterns, ranging from the floral elegance of Royal Mod and the soft femininity of Yellow and Grey to the stylish simplicity of Another Pretty Dress (black and white) and the radiant, sweet innocence of Peaches and Cream, is a must-see for anyone who loves to see a fresh idea fleshed out just right. And for what it’s worth, the photographer’s beautiful non-Barbie compositions, not to mention her many and various paintings, prints, and other media, are well worth discovering on their own (I mean really, who is this talented?)

Of course, anyone who subscribes to Wishing Willow knows we’re loved for our giveaways, and no first-of-January feature would be complete without offering a unique and lovely calendar as a prize. Thus it’s serendipitous that Michelle has agreed to offer the winner of this drawing one of her own original Desk Calendars, simply for taking the time to browse her online collection. To qualify, visit Made By Michelle Brusegaard, then come back here to tell us about your favorite item in Michelle's shop. Tell us in a second post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 1/09/09.

We have a winner! Kate who said, "I am overwhelmed by how much I love everything Michelle has made! I think I'll go with the super stationary set so I could have a variety of designs!"

Poe in Heart, Rich in Meaning

There’s nothing wrong with Monet calendars. Nor, for that matter, is it a crime to love Ansel Adams posters, inspirational framed prints of windbreaker-clad climbers rappelling down treacherous rock faces, or tapestries featuring the “Footprints” poem. It is, however, but a day until the new year dawns. Isn’t it time we broke at least a little new ground in our choices of wall art? Meet edge-dwelling genius Vivan Mayser of Dear Dodo, a shop offering art prints and collectible crafts that can scarcely be described without words like provocative, thoughtful, unexpected, or unique. It isn’t only the vintage materials or the unassuming irony of the art, as in Elisa, Autumn Owl, Stork Stockings, and other quietly mirthful pieces; it’s the world in general that is created. Here we find lovely dreamscapes in pencil, Victorian-era child portraits such as Bunny Day, and the curiously entrancing silhouette of the Poe Sisters, raven-like both in raiment and in bearing. And if there’s another place on the internet where one can find a Moth Doll Brooch crafted from a tiny, century-old porcelain head excavated in Germany, it’s not on this side of the time-space continuum.

It’s easy to talk about adding a little novelty to our home environment, however. The difficult thing is mustering the courage to go ahead and do it. As a way of encouraging our Wishing Willow readers to take the plunge and actually challenge their tried-and-tired art motifs, Dear Dodo is offering a free print of the Poe Sisters to the winner of today’s giveaway. To qualify, visit Dear Dodo, then come back here to tell us about your favorite print. Tell us in a second post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 1/08/09.

We have a winner! JewelryInfusions who said,
"I really love the 'Poe Sisters'. The stark contrast of the two images appeals to me, plus it has that psychiatrist 'What do you see in this image....' quality."

Rockin' the Snow Cap

Not since Rocky Balboa ruled the bitter streets of Philly in a pork pie hat has headwear been as iconic as today. Brad Pitt’s trilby; Toby Keith’s cowboy hat; even the ongoing Ashton Kutcher-Justin Timberlake cold war over who made trucker hats mainstream cool; everywhere, it seems, someone is reaffirming the enigmatic appeal of hats. What’s a parent to do in such a culture? For starters, one might head over to Cite Fuzz, where fashionable hand-knit wool hats for boys and girls are offered in what seems like a thousand different must-have varieties, most sporting a consistent modern Euro-Aspen vibe, yet each in its own right somehow managing to achieve that “it” factor that sets a great hat apart from the rest. Be it the quiet confidence of the cotton Groovy Bebop Brim Hat, the sunny disposition of the cotton earflap hat in Pink with Bright Stripes, or the heart-capturing cute of the mini monkey flap hat in chocolate with red trim, Cite Fuzz makes it possible to cover your undeniably unique child’s head with something equally individualistic.

After all, it goes without saying that all children are cute, but is there anything more rewarding than clothing them in something that celebrates each’s own special kind of cute, and watching the personality, in turn, emerge? In keeping with this value, Cite Fuzz is graciously offering our Wishing Willow readers the chance to own a hat that spotlights that intangible aspect in children that brings smiles to our faces on even the dimmest of days. For those of you who never stop loving to watch your kids “monkey around,” an adorable Mini Monkey Hat (6mo - 24mo) can be yours by winning today’s giveaway. To qualify, visit Cite Fuzz, then come back here to tell us about your favorite style and product. Tell us in a second post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 1/07/09.

We have a winner! besosforpesos who said, "Ok, so the honest truth is that the monkey hat is my absolute favorite...and that shot that you posted on this blog is ridiculous! That baby is so cute in that hat and I'm sure her hats are flying off the shelves! Ridiculously cute! Anyhow, I know bloggers don't like us choosing the same they review, so I checked her site and my second favorite is this little number Cotton Lipstick Bebop Brim Hat. Very sweet! I love the girly flowers that can be added on too. That's some talent!

Material Witness

It’s no small challenge to weave into words the properties of a scarf that’s been hand-dyed and hand-woven by Debbie Barrett-Jones of Billy Sue Textiles. One might turn to literary allusion, charting the transitional flow of multiple colors in each piece as a kind of Homerian epic, but this approach obscures the very real science behind the art. The name value of cashmere and tencel always loom, but the fact is, these primary materials of hers are only as remarkable as the hand that manipulates them. In the end, we find ourselves borrowing the words of the masters themselves, such as Michelangelo’s: “I saw the angel in the marble, and I carved until I set her free.” This is the glorious tension of all art, really: to capture is to liberate, and vise versa.

Folks around Kansas City might know a little something about Barrett-Jones’ ability to unlock the potential in fabric, being that she’s been commissioned to weave numerous textile pieces for public display, but her scarves, available on Etsy, were and are a Joy to discover. Tabbed with delightfully unpretentious product names such as Turquoise in the Middle with Red, Brown to Navy, and Just Around the Corner with Red and Orange Baby or Me, this line of scarves is every bit as luxurious, practical, and wonderfully unique as the crisp colors of the photos suggest, and considering the intermingling of colors within each scarf, the element of versatility is obvious. After all, who wouldn’t want a scarf that adapts to the fashion whims of every woman? For a larger introduction to Debbie's extraordinary textile stylings, visit Billy Sue Textiles.

Cozies for the Toes-ies

We’re born exposed. Our extremities, from the first moment of chilling introduction to the world outside that lovely warm thing called a womb, curl in shock as we realize immediately that someone, somewhere, is going to have to put some socks on those cute little tootsies of ours or we’re in deep trouble. Maybe that’s why craft-savvy moms, such as Courtney Anne Chu of CourtneyCourtney, succeed where many others fail in pinning down the perfect clothing accessories for kids: Whose instinct to better trust, after all, than her own? Of course, to call the fruit of her labor “socks” would be a misnomer. Technically speaking, they’re booties; practically speaking, they’re a versatile and tradition-tested product that inspires even more hip-shaking, slide-down-the-hall fun than the name implies. Parents will love the fact that these booties can serve as socks or shoes, depending on the occasion (thus bypassing the Herculean task of immobilizing one’s children long enough to tie shoelaces). It’s the personality of the product, however, that sells it. With a delightful variety from which to choose, ranging from the nautical/modern flair of Surfer Cool and the pixie sweetness of Rainbow Red to the li’l tyke ruggedness of Mini Rugby and the dapper kid-cool factor of Schoolbus, the struggle isn’t finding a winner, but rather in settling on just one.

Visit CourtneyCourtney for a full “exposure” to these items as well as Courtney's colorful and incredibly fun line of children's clothing.

Postcards from the Age of Innocence

A question to ponder: If, like the scientists who recently figured out how to bring wooly mammoths back from extinction, we could manufacture a product line that embodied all the qualities we loved in our storybook characters, what would these include? The irrepressible optimism of Christopher Robin? The gumption of Curious George? The adventurous spirit of Beatrix Potter’s loveable woodland protagonists? Fortunately, there are certain artists and artisans of exceptional talent who are already in the business of such engineering, a wonderful example being Mandy Sutcliffe of Belle and Boo. Belle, a lively, charming little brown-eyed girl, and her bunny friend, Boo, are oft-appearing subjects in the prints, cards, tags, and other items sold at this delightful shop, but it’s really a community of children in general who inhabit the fluid landscapes of these images, and especially girls.

Consequently, just about anyone who’s held on to any part of the “little girl” in her will instinctively gravitate toward the likes of Serenity Pink and I Like Your Bow, the Belle and Blue Fly a Kite print, or Little Belle Hugs Boo Pink. The object that sends you back to that special place might be something as simple yet precious as a Boo Tag for the birthday party gift you’ve been wrapping, or something as transcendent as My Favorite Place in Winter/Spring/Summer/Autumn. Whatever memory you care to recover, you can be sure the art of Belle and Boo will send you there with a touch as personal as the cup of tea Mandy offers on her Etsy page to anyone who cares to drop by the flat. And to get your collection started, Mandy and Kate of Belle and Boo are offering a set of Meet Me at Mike’s Badges to the lucky winner of today’s giveaway. To qualify, visit Belle and Boo, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Tell us in a second post if you happen to subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 11/28/08.

Visit www.belleandboo.com to view the full collection.

**We have a winner! windycindy who said, "Hi, I love her site. The "Ella and the Now Dove" Tags are adorable!The "My Favourite Spot in Autumn" Picture is also a favorite of mine!"**

Sass Meets Class

There are two schools of thought when it comes to designing and sewing children’s clothes. One is that the perfection of a child, like the perfection of a pearl, needs no dressing up. Designs from this school are simple and functional. The alternative school, however, argues it is no crime to craft a clothing piece that honors the beauty of children with a little beauty of its own. Michelle of Oh So Sassy, obviously a graduate of the latter school, believes so strongly in the importance of hand-stitching her love, her playfulness, and a generous dose of “sass” into each Whimsy Dress, Little Abigail Apron, and Oh So Dapper Tie she makes that it’s very possible you’d find yourself cooing in admiration over the pieces alone, even if no children were in the picture. Incidentally, children are in these pictures, however, and the photographer’s success in capturing them in moments of natural innocence is positively praiseworthy, proving once again that an Etsy shop equals exposure for more than just the seller.

Not to be outdone by the likes of the Sassy Flower Hair Clip, Adri Michelle Dress, or Pink Dahlia Dress in her collection, Michelle also delves into the world of accessories with great aplomb, turning out gotta-have-it items such as the Dafina Bag and the Sassy Strings Apron, both of which feature decidedly grownup-friendly prints. Her Sassy Diaper Clutch, another favorite, is day-trip sized and dashingly discreet. One of her sweetest creations of all, however, the Splash of Red Boutique Dress, is also the one most immediately accessible to you (in your choice of sizes 6mo - 6T), should you be lucky enough to win it in today’s giveaway. To qualify, visit www.ohsosassy.etsy.com, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Tell us in a second post if you happen to subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 11/26/08.

**We have a winner! Abigail who said, "I love all of them, but the Whimsy Dress is my favorite!"**

Orwell’s Animal Charm

One hasn’t truly explored the outer regions of irony until she’s tucked her capitalist credit cards and currency into a shiny dog-shaped leather clutch named for the novelist of history’s most famous satire of Communism. Of course, George Orwell was a clever Englishman, not a seer, and though the latter suggests he’d have had no idea that decades later Tsurubride Arts & Crafts would celebrate his legacy in leather, the former quality assures he’d have found such humor deliciously rich. And here’s something else that’s rich: finding a world of offbeat, lit-smart flights of fancy, a world occupied by ipod cozies with gaping monster mouths, whales and snails who swallow business cards, and whatever else crosses the capacious imagination of the maker.

Don’t have time to appreciate the literary value of Tsurubride’s line? No need to fear the thought police. Just tuck your Silver Kitty Purse under your arm knowing that you’ve done something to further the cause of independent crafting. And by the way, a little birdie tells me Tsurubride will customize by animal or color for the right price, so don’t be afraid to let your own imagination run wild. While you’re at it, imagine this: The winner of today’s giveaway will receive one cute’n’compact Silver Whale Curiosity Card Holder free from Tsurubride. To qualify, visit www.tsurubride.etsy.com, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Tell us in a second post if you happen to subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 11/25/08.

**We have a winner! Roberta who said, "I love the sad panda change purse - adorable!"**

Another Little Piece of My Heart

“Silver threads and golden needles can not mend this heart of mine,” Austin, Texas native Janis Joplin sang. There may be truth to the lyric, but most ladies would agree that silver and gold make rather nice pick-me-ups when blue days come calling. In today’s economic era, with shopping malls closing their lights to all but a few elderly mallwalkers and the cleaning crew, lovers of handcrafted accessories tend to fill their “shiny object” needs online, browsing the virtual aisles of independent jewelry artisans like Chris of Carolina Bleu to locate something truly special. An Austin native herself, the craft professional behind this unique business lures the eye with the subtle graces of her work, as in her Full Circle earrings, their shape emblematic of life’s cyclical loves and losses. She inspires the spirit with neckware made to dangle, like promises, close to the heart, exemplified in the Loved Ones locket. And she stirs the soul to imagine its possibilities with captivating crystal the likes of Petite Champagne Billy.

In fact, if it’s true, as Paul Simon wrote, that there are “fifty ways to leave,” there must surely be fifty ways to love as well, and at least that many choices of ways to express it through the Carolina Bleu catalog. Our favorites would have to include those of the Economic Crisis Sale, a line of tiny, delicately charming jewelry priced at a mere ten dollars per item. And speaking of affordable, Carolina Bleu has even agreed to go one better: The winner of today’s giveaway will receive one free pair of beautiful Amy Earrings, courtesy of the artist who conceptualized them. To qualify, visit www.carolinableu.etsy.com, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Tell us in a second post if you happen to subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 11/22/08.

**We have a winner! Shauna who said, "I love the abundance necklace. Its definitely a piece that needs to be added to my collection!Love the paul simon comment as well...its so true"**